Roundabout



(No Model.-) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.. F. S. BALDWIN.

ROUNDABOUT;

Patented Mar. 5, 1895.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' F. S. BALDWIN.

ROUNDABOUT.

No. 535,272. Patented Mar. 5, 1895.

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3 Sheets Sheet 3. F. S. BALDWIN.

ROUNDABOUT.

N0. 535,272. Patented Mar. 5, 1895.

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nirrno STATES PATENT @rrrcs.

FRANK S. BALDWIN, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

ROUNDABOUT.

SLPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 535,272, dated March5, 1895. Application filed Apri126,1894. Serial No. 509,124. (NomodeL)To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, FRANK S. BALDWIN, of Newark, in the county of Essexand State of New Jersey, have invented certainnew and usefulImprovements in Roundabouts; and I do hereby declare the following tobea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and useit, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part ofthis specification.

My invention relates to an improved roundabout; and the objects of thesame are to pro vide an improved lift for elevating the round about toan operativeposition; to provide an improved rotating mechanism; toarrange an improved means for adjusting the frame to the desiredinclination, and to provide an improved connection between the platformsas well as an improved brake therefor.

To these ends the invention consists in the novel features ofconstruction hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation ofthe roundabout. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the operatingmechanism. Fig. 3 is a plan View on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. i is a planview, partly in section of the winch. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the upperend of the roundabout frame. Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of one ofthe platforms, showing the position of the brake thereon. Fig. 8 is,anenlarged sectional View of the point of support for the roundaboutframe. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a section of the roundaboutplatform showing the lazy tongs connection.

A is the central revoluble post, having socket A and head B at its upperend, said head being formed with vertical lugs B.

G is the central post or spindle of the platform carrying frame D andrests in socket A, while said frame carries a head similar in form tohead B which it engages as shown. Depending from the radial arms offrame D are the hangers E to which the platforms F are secured. Theadjacent platform ends are connected by the lazy tongs G, the hangers Eserving to secure them to the platforms. This form of connection permitsthe platforms to respond to the centrifugal action but prevents suddenclosing and bumping together.

The roundabout is raised vertically from the ground or other supportwhen in operation and for effecting this movement I support post A upona ball bearing in piston H which is movable vertically in cylinder H,the latter having the valved connection J with a hydraulic forcingcylinder or chamber K, into which the water or other forcing fluid maybe injected in any suitable manner. Chamber K serves as a reservoir forthe lifting fluid, the latter flowing freely into cylinder H when theroundabout is being forced upward, and returning thereto when the sameis lowered. By this arrangement the liquid may be used indefinitelywithout being replenished. For assisting the lift the counter weightlines M are provided which are connected to a collar M which encirclespost A as shown and which pass up over pulleys depending from the frameN. Post A is feathered and is movable vertically through gear 0suitablyjournaled on the upper end of frame N, and the said gear mesheswith pinion P on the upper end of shaft P which at its lower end carriesfriction clutch Q where connection is made with the driving shaft of theengine R, the latter being shown. positioned on its side to economizespace and afford a direct connection without the interposition ofgearing. The clutch is provided in order that the engine may continue inmotion all the While for running the organ or for other purposes, itbeing required only a portion of the time for propelling the roundaboutas is apparent. By the arrangement here shown the supporting post maybemoved vertically in either direction without interfering with the rotarymovement of the roundabout.

At the upper end of post 0 is the pin S and fitting thereover is thethimble S to which the right angle ropes T and U are secured. Theseropes extend outward to suitable pulleys on the building or other frameerected over the roundabout, and downward therethrough as shown to aline below the building or frame floor. As will. be under stood eachrope is continuous, leaving one side of post C and passing down theframe Work, beneath the floor and up the other side of the frame andover the point of beginning. Beneath the floor is the frame V andjournaled vertically therein are the shafts W carrying at their upperends gears W which are rotatedby the worm shafts X having cranks X. Atthe lower ends of the shafts are the drums Y, one for the rope T and theother for rope U. Each rope is coiled a suitable number of times aroundits drum, the central strands of the coils being secured by a staple orother device to the drums to prevent slipping. By rotating the drumsthrough the medium of the worm shafts above described, either separatelyor together, the frame D may be given any desired inclination, the ropesbeing sufficiently slack to permit of the vertical movement of the frameas well as the inclinations just referred to.

Upon the under side of each platform and secured thereto at one end is aspring board Z which depends at its free end as shown to form a brakefor dragging on the floor when the roundabout is lowered. This form ofbrake serves to effectually stop the motion of the device withoutbringing it suddenly to a standstill or subjecting it to sudden jarswhile being stopped.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a roundabout frame, platforms depending therefrom,and lazytongs connecting the platforms, substantially as shown anddescribed.

2. The combination of a roundabout. frame,

hangers depending therefrom, platforms at the lower ends of the hangers,and lazy-tongs for connecting the platforms which have their pivotalpoints on said hangers, substantially as shown or described.

3. The combination of a tilting roundabout frame a continuous ropeconnected to the upper end thereof and extended in opposite directionstherefrom, and a revoluble drum about which the said rope is coiled,substan tially as shown and described.

4:. The combination of a tilting roundabout frame, two continuous ropesextended from its upper end at right angles to each other, and revolubledrums about which the ropes are coiled, for the purpose substantially asshown and described.

5. The combination of a tilting roundabout frame, continuous ropesextending at right an- FRANK S. BALD WIN.

Witnesses:

JAMES W. RooT, J r., W. J. PURDY.

